Father charged in abuse of son, daughter

June 23, 1998

Allegations against a father in the sexual assault of his daughter many years ago has triggered similar claims from the man's son, resulting in more charges last week, according to Maryland State Police.

The 53-year-old Hagerstown man was released on personal recognizance, according to Maryland State Police Trooper 1st Class Michael Potter.

The son, now 26, was contacted during the police investigation into his 22-year-old sister's accusations against her father, Potter said.

The father was charged last Thursday with one count each of child abuse, and second- and third-degree sex offenses against the son.

Previously, police charged the man with child abuse, a second- and third-degree sex offense, and incest involving the daughter.

The man's name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victims.

The daughter went to the Hagerstown barracks of the Maryland State Police last September and reported that her father began fondling her in 1981 when she was 5 while they lived in the Halfway area, police said. The abuse progressed to oral sex and sexual intercourse when the family moved to another residence in the Fairplay area, police alleged.

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The victim alleges that the abuse continued even after she became of legal age, with the last incident occurring last September, police said.

The son's allegations are of sexual contact with his father from 1982-88, Potter said.